New Evidence of Robo-Signers In States Where Foreclosures Bypass Judges

When problems in the foreclosure process caused banks to temporarily freeze foreclosures last fall, the focus was on improperly signed foreclosure affidavits–legal documents used when foreclosure are required to go through courts.

But as we’ve noted [1], most states are “non-judicial [2]” states, meaning foreclosures can proceed without a court order. And turns out, those states–where the process lacks judicial supervision and homeowners have less recourse to fight back–also seem to have problems with banks using robo-signers and taking other foreclosure shortcuts, American Banker reports.

Typically in non-judicial states, a third-party trustee [3] hired by the lender or servicer is required to issue a notice of default [4] to start the foreclosure process. In a January 4 deposition, however, Stanley Silva, a title officer in Nevada testified that he signed those notices without knowing whether anything in the document is true. From the deposition:

Q Are you familiar with the Nevada non-judicial foreclosure statute?

A Only operationally.

Q Is it your understanding that the Nevada non-judicial foreclosure statute requires that the company on whose behalf you’re signing a notice of default has the authority to foreclose?

A I’m not familiar with that language.

Q Is it fair to say you have no understanding at the time you execute a notice of default whether the company on whose behalf you’re actually signing that document has any authority to foreclose on the property?

A I don’t, no.

Q You don’t know whether they have any authority to foreclose?

A Nothing direct. You know, I’m signing what gets sent, so 2013

Asked what documents he reviews prior to signing the default notice, Silva responded, “We don’t review any documents.” He also said he’s “not aware of” the channels that prepare the documents before he signs them:

Q So who told you the recording was requested by LPS Title Company of Nevada?

A I’m not understanding your question. Nobody told me anything.

Q Oh, this gets back to your saying that you’re merely signing a document, it doesn’t mean you’re saying anything in the document is true; right?

A Correct.

Silva was deposed as part of a lawsuit against Wells Fargo, in which he testified that he signed the default notice on behalf of his employer, Ticor Title, which was signing on behalf of another LSI Title, which was signing as an agent for National Default Servicing Corporation, an agent for Wells Fargo. Homeowners attorneys in several non-judicial states have argued that these arrangements may not be legal. From American Banker:

Walter Hackett, a lawyer with Inland Counties Legal Services, in San Bernardino, Calif., and a former banker with Bank of America Corp. and Union Bank, has filed several cases contesting notices of default, on the grounds that the employees signing such notices were working for companies that are not the noteholders — or even their appointed agents.

“A huge percentage of notices of default and notices of trustee sales are legally questionable and probably void,” Hackett said. “Nobody with the authority to trigger the nonjudicial foreclosure process is triggering it — only third parties who claim they have the right to do so are triggering it.”

All of companies either declined to comment or did not respond to American Banker’s requests for comment.

Very interesting read. This article above strikes so close to home for Mom and me. ASC, a subsidiary of Wells Fargo, as alleged note holder, National Default Servicing Corporation, an agent for Wells Fargo/ASC, LPS as Agent, nothing is notarized, Neither ASC nor NDSC would give me proof of the assignment. It just stinks real bad.

Can you suggest a lawyer in the Vegas area? I really should have this properly checked out.

Earwig

I will read the pdf this am – thanks. In the interim, the naca.net link does not return any lawyers in Nevada dealing with Foreclosures or Foreclosure fraud – imagine that!

On first blush, I have a feeling that LPS may have done something wrong in my elderly Mother’s foreclosure last April (since she lost her home, she moved in with us). Looking over the NOD, while it is signed, it is not notarized. Also, her loan was sold at least 3 times in two years, making me wonder if the proper endorsements/assignments of the note was always done. At one point I formally (certified, return receipt) requested copies from the current holder of all the assignments, but I never did get them. I really need to have an attorney in the Vegas area have a look, preferably one that won’t charge two arms and two legs…

Steve Rhode

If you have not already done so, the very long linked deposition describes the process that one company used to make all sorts of assumptions.

Fina a local attorney to assist you. You may want to look for assistance from consumer advocate attorneys listed at http://naca.net

Earwig

1) How do you know/how can you find out if the company signing the NOD has verified that the company on whose behalf they are actually signing the document has any authority to foreclose on the property?

2) Is this saying that the Trustee under the DOT must be the party that signs the NOD, and if not, then the note holder must prove that the current Trustee has the authority to sign and act in its steed?

3) Basically, how as the borrower do we prove to ourselves/have the lender prove that the party signing the documents actually has the authority to trigger the nonjudicial foreclosure process and not some third parties who only claims they have the right to do so?

Earwig

1) How do you know/how can you find out if the company signing the NOD has verified that the company on whose behalf they are actually signing the document has any authority to foreclose on the property?

2) Is this saying that the Trustee under the DOT must be the party that signs the NOD, and if not, then the note holder must prove that the current Trustee has the authority to sign and act in its steed?

3) Basically, how as the borrower do we prove to ourselves/have the lender prove that the party signing the documents actually has the authority to trigger the nonjudicial foreclosure process and not some third parties who only claims they have the right to do so?

http://GetOutOfDebt.org Steve Rhode

If you have not already done so, the very long linked deposition describes the process that one company used to make all sorts of assumptions.

Fina a local attorney to assist you. You may want to look for assistance from consumer advocate attorneys listed at http://naca.net

Earwig

I will read the pdf this am – thanks. In the interim, the naca.net link does not return any lawyers in Nevada dealing with Foreclosures or Foreclosure fraud – imagine that!

On first blush, I have a feeling that LPS may have done something wrong in my elderly Mother’s foreclosure last April (since she lost her home, she moved in with us). Looking over the NOD, while it is signed, it is not notarized. Also, her loan was sold at least 3 times in two years, making me wonder if the proper endorsements/assignments of the note was always done. At one point I formally (certified, return receipt) requested copies from the current holder of all the assignments, but I never did get them. I really need to have an attorney in the Vegas area have a look, preferably one that won’t charge two arms and two legs…

Earwig

Very interesting read. This article above strikes so close to home for Mom and me. ASC, a subsidiary of Wells Fargo, as alleged note holder, National Default Servicing Corporation, an agent for Wells Fargo/ASC, LPS as Agent, nothing is notarized, Neither ASC nor NDSC would give me proof of the assignment. It just stinks real bad.

Can you suggest a lawyer in the Vegas area? I really should have this properly checked out.

More Available Help

Recent Comments

Read More Comments

The Amazing How to Get Out of Debt Calculator

In a matter of minutes this one single online calculator will demonstrate your different debt relief options available to get out of debt. As far as I know this is the first calculator like this. It's free to use. [Click Here]

Legal Friends and Protectors

A number of consumer attorneys stand behind the site as a friend and legal protector of the work we do here. [Click Here]

Find Me on Facebook

About Me

I'll help you get out of debt totally for free. All you have to do is tell me your situation, ask me your question and I'll help you find an honest and truthful solution to resolve your debt and credit situation.

Get My FREE Get Out of Debt Guy Newsletter

It is the smart thing to do.

I want to keep you posted each weekday with just one email about the latest get out of debt news, scam alerts and information to beat back debt.

You can unsubscribe at any time with just one click.

After you subscribe, check your email to confirm your subscription. If the confirmation email does not appear in your inbox in a few minutes, check your spam folder for it. Sometimes it likes to annoyingly hide there.